The safe-haven trade in precious metals is showing little sign of cooling, with gold, silver, and platinum extending gains into Friday’s session. Gold futures climbed ~1.6% to trade above the $4,500 level, while silver jumped more than 3% amid tight physical markets and strong industrial demand. Platinum also traded near the upper end of its recent range as supply constraints continued to support prices. Precious metals are rallying due to a "perfect storm" of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, expecta ...

Core Viewpoint - Tension exists between the Federal Reserve's goals of controlling inflation and supporting the job market, leading to a cautious approach in interest rate decisions as inflation remains high and the job market shows signs of weakness [1] Interest Rate Decisions - The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 0.25% as expected, but there were dissenting opinions within the committee, indicating differing views on the necessity of further cuts [2][4] - The Fed has cumulatively cut rates by 1.75 percentage points since September 2024, with current rates in the target range of 3.25% to 3.5%, still above pre-pandemic levels [5][19] - The Fed is expected to pause further cuts in January, with forecasts suggesting only one additional cut next year, contrasting with some analysts predicting two cuts [6][7] Economic Indicators - The natural rate of interest is believed to be closer to pre-pandemic levels, influenced by demographic trends and economic growth rates [9][20] - The housing market continues to weaken despite rate cuts, indicating potential need for further cuts to support this sector [10] - The lack of recent GDP data creates uncertainty in assessing the overall economic picture, with expectations for updates once Q3 data is available [11][12] Inflation and Tariff Policies - Factors that could lead to more aggressive rate cuts include a significant downturn in the AI sector, which has been a major contributor to GDP growth [12] - Tariff policies present a risk for inflation; if businesses pass on tariff costs to consumers, it could increase inflationary pressures, complicating the Fed's monetary policy [13][14] Neutral Interest Rate - The neutral interest rate is crucial for balancing full employment and inflation at the Fed's 2% target, with current rates slightly above the estimated neutral level of around 3% [15][19] - The neutral rate has trended down over decades, influenced by demographic changes and economic growth, suggesting that the Fed's long-term rate setting will align with this metric [21][22]

The AI Boom Is Absorbing Everything https://t.co/5uty3gODib ...

From time to time I find little-known stocks that look like bargains and test how strong they look as investments by comparing them to better-known names in the same segment.The author has an honours degree in economics and politics with a focus on economic development. With 36 years of experience in executive management he has extensive knowledge of insurance/reinsurance, Global and Asia Pacific markets, climate change and ESG. He invests in his personal capacity.Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, op ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the identification of lesser-known stocks that appear undervalued and compares them to more established companies within the same sector [1]. Group 1 - The author possesses an honors degree in economics and politics, focusing on economic development, and has 36 years of executive management experience, particularly in insurance/reinsurance and global markets [1]. - The analysis aims to uncover potential investment opportunities by evaluating the strength of these lesser-known stocks against well-known names in the same segment [1].

Core Insights - The article reviews the Fundstrat Granny Shots US Large Cap ETF (GRNY), managed by investor Tom Lee and his Fundstrat team, highlighting its performance since inception [1]. Group 1 - The GRNY ETF is designed to capitalize on large-cap stocks in the US market [1]. - The review indicates that the ETF has been trading for a certain period, suggesting ongoing market interest [1].

The AI Boom Moves Into the Next Stage https://t.co/jdeym3BJYF ...

Core Insights - Sandisk has joined the S&P 500 index, marking a significant milestone for the company as its shares have surged due to increased demand driven by the AI boom [1][2][6] Company Performance - Sandisk's stock price increased nearly 11% on the day of its S&P 500 inclusion before settling back, reflecting strong market interest [2] - The company's shares have risen over 500% since being spun off from Western Digital in February, with a current market capitalization exceeding $31 billion [2][6] Market Context - The inclusion in the S&P 500 is generally viewed positively by investors, often leading to a short-term boost in share prices [3][4] - The vacancy in the S&P 500 was created by Omnicom Group's acquisition of Interpublic Group, highlighting ongoing market consolidation trends [4][10]

Group 1 - Oddball funds, which are not tied to traditional stock and bond markets, offer high diversification potential but may also create investor anxiety due to their idiosyncratic nature [1] - UBS has lowered the minimum asset threshold for its Consolidated Advisory Program and alternative investments-dedicated CAP Select offering, expanding eligibility for alternative-friendly advisory programs [2] - Financial advisors are increasingly utilizing model portfolios for their scalability in portfolio management, whether built in-house or outsourced [3] Group 2 - The AI boom has led to a decline in the quality of investments as investors chase high returns, raising concerns about the neglect of balance sheets [4] - The anticipated influx of new cryptocurrency-focused ETFs due to eased US regulations is expected to create more accessible and liquid investment options in the crypto space [5] - Over 1,300 active ETFs have launched in 2024, with lower fees and greater tax efficiency being key advantages over traditional mutual funds [6] Group 3 - BlackRock's private credit CLO has failed to meet performance tests, leading to management fee waivers and a need for corrective measures to protect safer securities [7] - Clarion Partners Real Estate Income Fund is transitioning to an interval fund structure to enhance liquidity for shareholders, marking a significant change under the Investment Company Act of 1940 [8] - The misfire at Blue Owl highlights the importance of proration in semiliquid funds, allowing managers to handle less liquid assets without facing large redemption pressures [9] Group 4 - The IMF has raised concerns regarding the rapid growth of private credit investments and the emergence of new private rating agencies, which could impact the quality of investment-grade classifications [10] - The growth of retail funds is creating new risks for general partners (GPs), necessitating preparations for potential industry-wide effects such as shifting allocations and liquidity stress [11]

Core Insights - The article discusses the transition of former bitcoin miners, including Cipher Mining, Riot Platforms, and IREN, towards high-performance computing (HPC) and AI services, highlighting the potential for significant revenue growth in this sector [2][5][19]. Cipher Mining - Cipher Mining operates five data centers in Texas, with plans to shift focus from bitcoin mining to HPC, aiming to leverage existing infrastructure for AI workloads [1][8]. - The company has a development pipeline of 3.2 gigawatts and announced a new 1-gigawatt site in West Texas, primarily financed by Cipher, to focus on HPC [6][7]. - Cipher's recent lease agreement with AWS is valued at approximately $5.5 billion, providing 300 megawatts of power capacity for AI workloads starting in August next year [8]. - In Q3 2025, Cipher generated $71.7 million in revenue, nearly tripling from Q3 2024, although it fell short of expectations [9]. - Analyst Greg Miller projects Cipher's stock could exceed $90 per share if it successfully executes its HPC strategy, with a current price target of $30 indicating a potential upside of 106% [10][11]. Riot Platforms - Riot Platforms has over 1 gigawatt of operational data center capacity and is expanding its Corsicana facility by an additional 600 megawatts [12][14]. - The company reported a record revenue of $180.2 million in Q3 2025, up 112% year-over-year, with a net income of $104.5 million [15]. - Miller notes Riot's capacity is well-positioned for the HPC market, and he sets a price target of $25, suggesting an 87% potential gain [16]. IREN, Ltd. - IREN operates four data centers, with a significant focus on renewable energy, and has shifted its business model from bitcoin mining to AI cloud services [17][19]. - The company secured a multi-year GPU cloud service contract with Microsoft valued at $9.7 billion, alongside a $5.8 billion deal with Dell for hardware [19][20]. - IREN's fiscal 1Q26 report showed a record revenue of $240.3 million, a 355% increase from the previous year, and a net income turnaround from a loss to a profit of $384.6 million [21]. - Analyst Miller believes IREN's strategy could lead to a valuation of over $280 per share in the long term, with a current price target of $80 indicating an 84% upside [23].